2011 Travel Highlights

While excitement at work kicked in pretty hard for me in 2011, it also hindered me to do a lot of exploring outside of my job description and workplace. It’s a good thing though that despite the demands of my job, I was able to do a bit of traveling last year. First off, I did …

First-time in Kanlaon

Mt. Kanlaon is shrouded in mystery. I grew up hearing tales of hermits, fairies and other enchantments that happen around the tallest peak in the island of Negros. This same volcano divides the eastern part of Negros from its western counterpart, represented by the two provinces of Negros Occidental and Negros Oriental, creating two worlds …

Shangri-la Mactan

First-time in Shangri-la Mactan Resort and Spa

My trip this year to Cebu, particularly to Mactan, brought back memories of a luxurious stay I did three years back in another resort within the same island. It was a press event my former office organized for a client. We gathered media people from various countries in Southeast Asia and booked them in Shangri-la’s …

Camsur

A First-time Traveler’s 3 Best Kept Secret Islands

I have three best kept secret islands found in my country, the Philippines, but I’m letting these out of the bag. With more and more people traveling nowadays, getting to a place where others have never been before has become quite a challenge. As I become more connected with other travelers, I observe that those …

Plantation Bay

First-time in Plantation Bay

The Plantation Bay Resort and Spa always grace the pages of travel magazines. I’ve seen photos of friends who stayed in this luxurious resort located in Mactan Island, Cebu. I’ve been part of contests that gave out a few nights stay for free in this popular relaxation place. Sadly, I’ve never set foot in Plantation …

Danao, Cebu

First-time in Danao, Cebu

There I was again traveling alone. It usually happens whenever I travel for business wherein I would be left to my own devices. Having been used to working with non-profits, I often visited new and unfamiliar places without any welcoming party at the airport or a transport service. Sometimes it sounded scary but I always …

Malatapay Beach Resort

First-time in Malatapay Beach Resort, Negros Oriental

Right after our plane touched down in the runway of the Dumaguete City airport, at the capital of the Negros Oriental province in the Philippines, we embarked on about half an hour ride by van to the southern part of the island towards Malatapay Beach Resort. It was night when we arrived at the resort. …

Kaitulari

First-time in Kaitulari Resort, Philippines

Before it’s name came about, it was only referred to as “Kay To(to) Larry”, which literally means “Larry’s Place” or “Toto Larry’s Place”, with “toto” as a form of endearment to men in the Hiligaynon language.  Thus, the resort became popularly known as “Kaitulari” and the name stuck. Kaitulari is a resort tucked in the …

Ruins Talisay

First-time in the Ruins, Talisay

I went home last Christmas with a mission: to visit another tourist spot in my own province. It helps to know what’s going on in my own backyard, figuratively speaking, so that when I travel, I also get to talk about interesting things about my hometown.  Being away from home for 11 months in a …

Cebu

First-time in Cebu City: The Queen City of the Philippines

With a stroke of imagination and a palette of vibrant words, let me paint for you the sprawling canvas of Cebu City. Imagine a tapestry woven from the threads of rich history and pulsating modernity, where the skyline dances with skyscrapers, and colonial remnants stand proudly as testament to bygone eras. The streets are the …

First-time to volunteer vacation in Oriental Mindoro

The eastern side of the Mindoro Island—Oriental Mindoro—is known for the white sand beach at Puerto Galera. Apart from Boracay, it is one of the most sought-after beach destinations in the Philippines because of its proximity to the main island of Luzon. Despite its popularity, this writer, unfortunately, has not ventured anywhere this famous beach. …

Bacolod City: A Vibrant Destination for Food and Festivals

As you step into Bacolod City, a wondrous realm unfolds before your eyes. It is a place where happiness swirls in graceful pirouettes, emanating from the genuine smiles that grace every face. The air carries whispers of a city that has been shaped by a rich tapestry of colors, each thread woven with passion and …

Boracay

First-time in Boracay: Experiencing the Island Paradise

Out of the glistening waters of the Philippines, Boracay emerges as a tropical paradise that captures the hearts of wanderers seeking an idyllic getaway. With its powdery white sand beaches, azure blue waters, and a vibrant island atmosphere, Boracay beckons travelers from far and wide. From leisurely sunbathing on the shorelines to exhilarating water sports …

Bais City

First-time in Negros Oriental: A Paradise in the Philippines

To tourists and travelers, Negros Oriental is the eastern part of the two-province-one-island Negros, which is located in the Visayas area of the Philippines. To me, it’s the other side of the island where I was born. Dumaguete City, its capital, has played an important role in my teenage years and after 15 years of …

Bohol

First-time in Bohol: The Land of Tarsiers and Chocolate Hills

Bohol has so many things to offer. It is not as crowded as the beaches of Boracay and there are so many things to see in this lovely island. Many times, it is overshadowed by its neighbor Cebu, or the Queen of the South, where the country’s second largest city is found. But Bohol in …